Farmers Appeal for Passage of CARPER

By: Gil E. Miranda


DAR- Agusan del Norte - Civil Society and farmer groups held street demonstrations to urge the government to immediately pass into law the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). They held a rally to voice their desire and support for House Bill 4077 last January 30, 2009 in Butuan City.

The demonstration started at the Agrarian Reform Information and Marketing Center at exactly 8:30 am passing through Capitol Compound all the way to Montilla Boulevard and ended at Rizal Park for a short rally. Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries have spoken on the benefits deri9ved from the services provided by the CARP.

More than 1,200 farmers from different Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Agusan del Norte, NGOs, FEDARCCO members, PO leaders, Youth and Government agencies participated in the rally with placards to voice out their clamor and anger at the present landlord dominated Congress.

The Joint Resolution passed by Congress extending the implementation of the said program for a period of six (6) months is set to expire on June 30, 2009. While CARP continues, the implementation compulsory acquisition aspect of the program was suspended for the period of 6 months.

A Walk for A Cause: More than 1,200 Civil Society and Farmers of Agusan del Norte, marched the streets in Butuan City bringing streamers with different slogan printed on it to express their clamor and anger at landlord-dominated Congress who prefer to give lands to foreigners than Filipino Farmers.

Farmers in Agusan del Norte expressed their collective sentiments to stop Congress from emasculating CARP and demanded that the compulsory acquisition mode of acquiring lands be continued.

"Without CA, many beneficiaries who desire to own a land will not have a chance because no landowner will volunteer," said FEDARCCO Chairman Isidro Madaje. " This historic rally is just the beginning of a series of activities to press for CARP extension with reforms", he further stated.

Last November 21, 2008, some farmer leaders and civil society groups converged to solicit the commitment of legislators of the First and Second District of Agusan del Norte. They visited the homes and offices of Cong. Joboy Aquino and Cong. Edelmiro Amante to enlist their support for the extension of the program and to expedite the passage of House Bill 4077.

After the rally, a Press conference was also held by representatives of the Farmers, FEDARCCO Officials and PO leaders before the local tri-media group.

CARP Extension eyed with reforms mobilization

by Gil E. Miranda

Butuan City -- Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperatives (FEDARCCO), Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) led by their respective People's Organization leaders, Farmworkers, PARCCOM Officials, Akbayan Partylist, AGUKAKABA, and Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) in Agusan del Norte, joined hands to voice their thoughts and do their utmost desire to extend CARP and support House Bill No. 4077 during the CARP Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Day Parade held recently here.
Photo shows Reverend Juan De Dios Pueblos, D.D., Bishop of Butuan City, gives his inspiring message before the Farmers in Agusan del Norte showing his full support to extend CARP.

The parade started at the City Hall Ground at exactly 8:30 am and passed through Capitol Compound Avenue all the way to Montilla Boulevard and ended at Rizal Park for a short program.

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), POs, and NGOs from different Municipalities in Agusan del Norte showing their placards bearing statement to support CARP extension during the CARP Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Day Parade.

To give meaning to the event and in order to fully hear the voices of the farmers, it was graced and given life by the inspiring message of our Most Reverend Juan De Dios Pueblos, D.D., Bishop of Butuan City. He said that "we are very thankful here in Agusan del Norte because we are having a very supportive Congressmen who always showed their efforts to extend CARP".

He further said "we have to continue our unity for the benefits of the poor; (ang kalambuan sa atong nasud naga-agad sa kabaskog sa mga yano na mga mag-uuma), the progress of our nation depends on the health of our poor farmers."

Around 1,000 people lined up on the streets without minding the scorching heat of the sun just to send their sentiment to remind legislators to enact House Bill 4077 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) before the end of the season.

Aside from the parade, press conference was also conducted being presented by the selected farmers, PARCCOM members, FEDARCCO Officials and PO Leaders before the local tri-media of this city.

BCBMPC ENSURES PHILHEALTH COVERAGE OF THEIR MEMBERS

by: Gil E. Miranda

Baug CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Popularly known as BCBMPC is presently facilitating the health insurance coverage of members through a memorandum of agreement with PhilHealth with their National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) or likewise known as Kalusugang Sigurado at Abot-kaya sa PhilHealth Insurance, (KASAPI), in 22 Agrarian Reform Communities, (ARCs) throughout Agusan del Norte before the year ends.

PhilHealth Assistant Vice President Johnny Y. Sychua officially handed over the one (1) unit computer with genuine copy of KASAPI Membership Information System (KMIS), software installed on it to BCBMPC officials (left-right) Hazel B. Canoy, BCBMPC Manager Luxmie B. Auxillo and ExeCom and formerly BOD Chairman Jimmy L. Beray. Also in photo are (R-L) BOD Carmen D. Vasquez, BOD Juanito Biyok (Blue Poloshirt) and BOD Juanito A. Tiu.

Sometime in June 2006, ExeCom and formerly BOD Chairman Jimmy L. Beray and PhilHealth Regional Assistant Vice President Johnny Y. Sychua, discussed about the basic social protection mechanism, specifically on health insurance. As a result, KASAPI was jointly implemented to reach out the quality health care services for underprivileged members per Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on November 13, 2006.

The MOA between BCBMPC and the PhilHealth will enable members to enjoy access to quality health care services in the PhilHealth-accredited health care institutions in the province. This initiative was facilitated by DAR Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob.

Signing of MOA between BCBMPC and the PhilHealth will enable to ensure the continuous access to quality health care benefits of BCBMPC members under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). (photo left): PARO II Andre B. Atega officially signs the MOA; (photo right) extreme left: CARPO Laudecia F. Aquiatan, Hazel B. Canoy, PhilHealth Point Person, and Luxmie B. Auxillo, BCBMPC Manager also signs the MOA.

As stipulated in the MOA, BCBMPC, as an organized group, undertakes PhilHealth programs in the expansion of its social health insurance scheme: to carry out marketing strategy by way of education & communication campaign & advocacy; collection and monitoring for the coverage of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and informal sector under the individually paying program (IPP); at least 700 enrolees is required; and in the distribution of PhilHealth cards.

The agreement aims to provide the workers from informal sector an access to basic social health care services in quality and affordable scheme, and to sustain in their wellness resulting to improve their productivity and greater income as well as in realization of the mandate of DAR in providing accessible, affordable, quality health care services for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, (ARBs) as only chance out poverty is in their health.

With the excellent teamwork of the BCBMPC and PhilHealth officials, they found out that the program gives positive impact to the cooperative and to their members and brought it to its current status. One that can be relied on by the members and one that they are proud of.

At present, the recruitment of ARB-members and other workers are still on-going. PhilHealth, Inc. handed-over one (1) unit computer with genuine copy of KASAPI Membership Information System, (KMIS) software installed on it. The cooperative sent the concerned staff to undergo a comprehensive training in Manila for the smooth and proper implementation of the partnership with PhilHealth.

The Board of Directors of Baug CARP Multi-Purpose Cooperative are very optimistic and had always been a dreamed not far from the horizon to open up other intervention for the benefits of its members.